HGTV Star Hilary Farr's Backyard Design Is As Functional As It Is Fabulous

If your backyard sits on an incline, don't miss this essential element backed by Hilary Farr. Known for her expert renovations on HGTV, she is the host of "Love It or List It," and "Tough Love with Hilary Farr." Her elegant and quirky style lends itself to stunning interior makeovers, but her renovations often touch on the exterior as well. In Season 11, Episode 11 of "Love It or List It," Farr added a retaining wall to her clients' sloped backyard. This addition achieved several goals, including separating visual space and enhancing drainage on the property. 

On the episode (via HGTV on YouTube), Farr explained her reasoning for prioritizing a retaining wall, "That's going to make a huge difference to how everything feels and of course how it functions." Once installed, she described the benefits to her clients, "Here is the retaining wall that is essential to keeping any water from coming into your house." Beyond water retention, retaining walls can also thwart erosion, prevent sinkholes, and make your space look more intentional. Thanks to these benefits, adding a retaining wall usually gives a property's resale price a 10-15% boost. This Hilary Farr-inspired backyard renovation idea could well increase your home's value.

While it's clear that retaining walls offer a whole host of practical and aesthetic benefits, there are a few different options to choose from. The kind of retaining wall that Farr chose to install had a concrete block structure. This type of retaining wall is typically suitable for heights under four feet due to the absence of footings. Not needing to build footings makes the project easier. As long as local building codes allow this type of retaining wall construction, you could possibly tackle the project yourself. Find out how you can add a charming retaining wall in your sloped backyard with this beginner-friendly DIY.

If you're searching for a solution with increased stability, consider a solid concrete retaining wall rather than a block-based system. Concrete retaining walls are engineered to last over 50 years. However, to build one, you'll have to dig a trench and pour proper, steel-reinforced footings to support this type of retaining wall. Depending on the wall's height and your location, you may need to get a permit from local building authorities, too. 

If a low-maintenance option is your priority, consider a traditional brick retaining wall. However, be aware that brick can be more difficult to install. If you're ready to embark on this project, check out the top 10 do's and don't's of building a retaining wall.